Author's Note: SEE! I wasn't lying last night! XD I had just reached a point where I was like "Gonna upload this for my followers. They have been so amazingly patient with me and my crazy life." So yeah. Here is Chapter 4. It however, was getting TOO LONG so I stopped it. Chapter 5 things should get spicy with battles and what-not. ANNNNNYYYYYWAAAAAY enjoy!

Chapter 4

Elena sat on the low stone wall at the forge by the stables, watching the sun come up over the frozen lake. Her eyes were itchy and dry. Her feet ached from standing all night. She was pretty sure that if she were to actually allow herself to sit down, she would immediately fall asleep. She hadn't managed to get her packing done in time for a good, long nap before dinner or her watch. Though, she did sneak in two hours of sleep. She had managed to drink several large mugs of invigorating tea this morning, so she felt a bit like her soul was going to erupt from her weary body. She realized around the second hour of her watch that her life was about to change dramatically and that had kept her awake and alert through the rest of her watch. However, now that knowledge weighed heavily on her. She was going to have to spend all day in the saddle traveling through unfamiliar country while helping lead the scouting party. Sure, there were only about ten people all-told in the party, but she only knew three of them. She felt a little bit overwhelmed by it all. Elena had never been one to make friends quickly. She gulped the last of the tea she held in her hands and put the mug down on the stones next to her.

Taking a deep breath in, she eased herself off the stone wall and walked to the corral. Elena retrieved her horse and began preparing it for the journey. Others were arriving as well, rubbing their eyes and stretching. Most nodded a greeting, which she returned. Some ignored her while still others muttered a quiet hello. Soon, everyone had arrived and was getting mounted up. Erik arrived and stood with both fists braced against his hips, feet spread wide in a heroic stance. He was grinning broadly at Elena and the company.

"Soldiers! Today! You are leaving the safety of Haven for the uncertainty of Ferelden and the Fallow Mire. You've all heard the stories coming out of that miserable bog. The Inquisition needs you to go and make our presence known. We need more lands and there are resources we need that can only be found there. Remember your training, keep your wits about you, and listen to your leaders. You'll survive to explore another day if you can do those three things." He announced grandly with true purpose ringing in his voice. Elena had never heard him speak this way to anyone about anything. Erik spoke with such conviction and determination that she felt her skin prickle. "This is the moment you've all been waiting for. Make the Inquisition proud." He saluted them all and then walked over to Elena's horse, "How'd I do? I'm not very good with speeches." He asked in a whisper, looking up at her, one hand resting on her leg, the other on her horse's shoulder.

"You did fine, Erik." She whispered back giving him a smile and a pat on the shoulder, "I only hope I do half as well on my mission."

He nodded his head, "I remember my first one. It's a simple one. You'll do wonderfully. You're a Trevelyan after all!" He slapped her thigh and sighed, "I'll miss you, Lane. Be safe." And then he walked away, his hand trailing off her leg reluctantly. Watching her brother walk away, leaving her to uncertain adventures, caused her throat to tighten. He was right, this was the moment that she had been waiting for, but now that it was here… she wasn't so sure she was ready. It was well-enough to say things while still surrounded by Haven's walls, but now she had to prove the bravado she had spoken with the day before wasn't false. She had to test her mettle and hope she didn't come up wanting.

"Are you ready men?" Corporal Smythe called out. The gathered troops shouted their assent, Elena adding her own voice to the call with only a slight tremor, "Move out!" He kicked his horse into a brisk walk and took the lead. Elena fell in at the back of the column as had been discussed the previous day. As they passed the practice courts she could see Cullen watching them go by. Her face became hot remembering how they had left things.

On impulse she pulled her horse to a stop, "Commander!" She waved him over.

Cullen looked at her and came over, "My lady?" he asked in a business-like tone.

"I just…" Elena started, clutching the hand she had waved against her chest, "I wanted to apologize for yesterday…. I should not have spoken to you in such a manner. It was wrong of me." She looked away from his face as she said it. She didn't want to… couldn't see his reaction. She'd rather be ignorant and able to pretend her simple words had fixed everything between them. He remained silent, so she picked up her reins, "Well, I've got to go. They're getting ahead of me." She met his eyes briefly and then kicked her horse forward.

Cullen's hand reached out and grabbed her horse's bridle, stopping it. "Elena, I just… want you to understand, what I said. I said it because—" He stopped speaking and looked away from her, letting his hand slide down onto the reins from the bridle, "Because I'm your commander. I couldn't live with the knowledge that I allowed you to be sent somewhere when you weren't ready. But seeing you up there," He gestured at the horse, "I realize I was mistaken. You are ready for this kind of mission. You'll be all right."

"You called me Elena." She whispered, hardly words, more of a breath.

"What?"

"I'm sorry. Are things all right between us now?" Elena looked up the path, she could still see Reeves' back retreating around the bend. She felt anxious. This wasn't supposed to have taken this long.

"Of course, they never changed." He told her calmly.

"Good." She looked at him, her eyes meeting his fully. They locked and held. There was something new in his expression. Some kind of gentle tenderness and care that she'd never noticed before. She was surprised when her heart gave a noticeable tug, willing her to do something, though she did not know what, "I'll see you when I return, Cullen." She let his given name slip from her lips as coolly as she could, though it felt fiery and warm, like cinnamon, as it passed between them. She didn't wait for a response, Reeves had disappeared. She clucked to her horse and cantered away.

They took it easy that day. None of them had been adequately prepared for the start of this mission and it showed in their energy level. Corporal Smythe made the decision to camp a few hours early and get some extra sleep in. Watches and chores were assigned without fuss. Elena pulled first watch and latrine duty. She gladly went to find a suitable spot to dig a trench and was pleased to receive a compliment on her placement when Smythe went to do the necessary. What a strange thing to be pleased about. She thought absently to herself as she unpacked her horse and tied him to the string with the others. Everyone helped set up tents while the two hunters, Reeves and a more experienced soldier called Seariver, went to catch dinner. They returned after just a short while, a brace of nugs in their hands. Quickly, they processed the animals and had them roasting over the fire. Elena had never seen anyone hunt and get dinner cooking so fast before. She was a little more than impressed with her Elvish friend.

Elena walked over to Reeves, who was turning the spit, "I have to compliment you on your hunting skills. I had no idea you were so adept!"

Reeves nodded, "In my clan, we have to be if we want to survive." She explained simply.

"Is there anything I can do to help you with cooking?" Reeves shook her head, "All right, then. I'll go take a rest before watch." She walked away.

"Trevelyan!" Porteur called out to her as she drew near to the tents, "Isn't this fun! Our first camp site! Can you believe it! I hope there are many more adventures ahead of us!"

Elena rolled her eyes, "Porteur, you would think digging post holes is an adventure if it were done anywhere but Haven." She chuckled as he came over.

"Nonsense!" He clapped an arm around her, pulling her against his side, "Digging post holes anywhere is a serious business… could mean the difference between keeping somebody out and somebody in." He whispered conspiratorially, "But don't tell anyone I take anything seriously. I wouldn't want it getting around." He winked and released her. "You and I have watch together tonight, I'm looking forward to it." And then he was gone, sauntering off with a spring in his step, harassing whoever came his way. Elena smiled, shaking her head at her silly friend as she made her way into her tent.

She settled onto her bedroll with a sigh, wrapping a blanket around her and was lost to the world almost immediately. She had nice dreams. They smelled of cinnamon and chocolate and reminded her of safety and genuine warmth. She had never really encountered such things before. Not with her mother hovering around shoving men and responsibilities at her. She was always trying to cage her spirit into the confines of House Trevelyan. Her brother and the Inquisition had really done a lot for her. Her dreams led her through these thoughts as if someone were holding her hand and walking her through a maze of doors.

A gentle hand shook her awake, "My lady Elena, it is time for dinner." Reeves whispered to her, "Come along." Elena was sad to let the dreams go. They had been good for her weariness. She stood and joined Reeves and the others at the fire. They ate in silence, focused on getting the hot food to their stomachs before the wintry cold stole the warmth from the meat. Once dinner had been finished and cleaned up, watches began.

Elena was glad for her nap. She felt alert and aware. The smallest sound was noticed and cataloged. A snap of a twig in the distance was just a ram passing through. The gurgle of a nearby brook interrupted with splashes and squeals from nugs. Nothing to fear in these woods so close to Haven. The real trouble would happen further down the road, closer to the Mire. Porteur helped her pass the time by walking an opposite circuit and whispering a dirty joke to her each time they passed. She tried to keep quiet, but couldn't help from giggling every now and then. Before she knew it the five hours had passed and she was being relieved by Marston.

"How were things?" He whispered, searching her face carefully by the moonlight.

"Quiet." She shrugged, "We're still too close to Haven to really have any worries."

Marston nodded sagely, "I thought so. How are you? I haven't gotten a chance to speak to you since before we left."

"I'm fine. Tired, but fine." She told him, "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got some sleep to catch up on and you've got a watch to take care of." She patted his shoulder as she walked past him, "Be careful."

He nodded, catching her hand and holding it on his shoulder briefly, "Sleep well." He told her and released her hand. She nodded and walked away back to her bedroll. She fell into it as gracefully and quietly as she could manage and was once again asleep quickly. As she drifted off she thought of her brother, wondering if he, too, was asleep on the ground somewhere or if he had chosen to stay at Haven awhile longer. Perhaps he stayed to speak to Cullen about strategy. That would make them both happy. It may even distract them from worrying about her as they both so obviously did. The thought of the commander staying up worrying about her made her feel strange. Am I worrying about him worrying about me? Surely, he isn't… might be nice to worried about by him, though. She thought idly as her mind was fully enveloped by sleep.

Author's Note: Awwwww. Someone is in denial about being in denial about thinking someone else is dreamy. Literally, warm cinnamon and chocolate is totally the flavor I would assign Cullen. Throw a little vanilla in there and BOOM! Cullen flavored tea. I would SO drink that. I should write Adagio a note...

Here's a sneak peak of Chapter 5. Literally, though, there's like a mutiny coming and Elena is totally not prepared for that emotionally. Poor girl. Really, sinking mostly new people into a bog filled with spooky zombies and ghosts and giant axe-wielding maniacs, really Erik? REALLY? You are such a good-hearted idiot. We shall see if a mutiny actually happens or if our heroine manages to diffuse the situation that's arising...

-Danbamina

Chapter 5

The journey south to the Fallow Mire carried on in much the same way as it had the first day. They rode a bit harder to speed things up, but otherwise, it was uneventful and rather pleasant to be traveling with a group of like-minded individuals. Everyone was excited to be going on a mission from the Herald himself. It wasn't often he delegated tasks to people other than his closest circle personally. No one, Elena was surprised to learn, really thought of her as part of Erik's circle of advisors and party members for all she was his blood relative. She rather liked the news. It made her feel free from his shadow. She really was standing on her own two feet and being useful. Everyone seemed pleased with her efforts around camp. She never shirked chores and frequently helped others with theirs. If nothing else, that was enough to earn their respect.

When she gave an order, which was rare, she was obeyed immediately. Nobody complained at her when she asked them to take their turn with hunting or digging latrine trenches or gathering wood. This was unlike when Corporal Smythe asked the same chores be done. He had the most astonishing ability to always get the same jobs, the easy ones. Elena didn't approve of this, but he was her senior officer and she didn't really see a way of convincing him to take other responsibilities. She would have a word with Cullen when she got back and let him handle it.